GUWAHATI, Oct 25 � A meeting of the social leaders of the State�s Muslim population held here yesterday, expressed serious concern over the reports of rise of Islamic jehadi forces in the State and announced its opposition to all sorts of terrorist activities in the name of jehad. It described terrorism as anti-Islam.
The meeting, held under the presidentship of veteran journalist Haider Hussain at the Haji Mussafir Khana here, made an appeal to the State as well as the Central Government to deal with all the cases related to such jehadi activities in a transparent, unbiased manner and to conduct thorough and extensive investigations while probing such incidents. Those found guilty in such incidents should be punished, the meeting said.
It made an appeal to the rational section of the State�s Muslim individuals and organisations to engage themselves in a serious drive to generate awareness among the common Muslims so that no one can mislead any of their backward sections to take part in any terrorist activities.
It also made an appeal to the fair-minded people, media and organisations of the State to handle the issue carefully so that social integrity of the State is not affected by subjecting the entire Muslim society of the State to harassment for the criminal activities of a section of depraved people.
The meeting urged the Government to take appropriate steps for removal of backwardness from among the Muslims of the State.
The signatories to the declaration of the meeting include, among others, Haider Hussain, Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, Nekibur Zaman, Dr Taufiqur Rahman Barbara, Tabiul Hussain, Dr Zakir Hussain, Dr Atowar Rahman, Maulana Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Sahjahan Talukdar.
